Westwood puts on a show for dad at Pebble

Playing alongside his father proved a boon for Lee Westwood on Thursday, as he made a fine start at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

Westwood, partnered by his father John for the pro-am event in California, carded a four-under par round of 68 at Pebble Beach to leave himself among the early leaders after the first round.

The Englishman had five birdies and just a solitary bogey - at the par-four eighth - during his opening round, but it was playing alongside his father that was the real highlight of the day.

"It's the biggest thrill [to play with dad]," Westwood said. "We didn't play it [Pebble Beach] in the practice rounds, because I've seen it so many times before in competition, so it was a new experience for dad. But nothing prepares you for playing some of these holes.

"You can't stop looking around, the breathlessness of the surroundings."

John, who only took up the game when his son showed an interest, added: "You can see where he gets his swing from, though!"

Westwood's impressive form ensured a very British look to the top of the leaderboard, as Scotland's Russell Knox took the early clubhouse lead thanks to a six-under round of 66 at Monterey Peninsula. He was eventually joined by Hunter Mahan, thanks to a last-gasp birdie at Pebble's famous 18th hole.

England's Greg Owen also fared well, slotting in at five-under alongside the likes of Seung-yul Noh and Scott Langley.

Padraig Harrington did not fare so well, however, shooting a level-par round at Spyglass Hill. That left the Irishman one shot worse off than last week's PGA Tour winner, Phil Mickelson, who endured a frustrating day at Monterey Peninsula.